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Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad to be held on 22 March in Satara
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More than 1,000 trustees and representatives to participate in statewide temple conference
Satara, Maharashtra – Temples, which have been the foundation of Hindu Dharma for centuries, are today facing numerous challenges in the name of ‘secularism’. The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh is actively working to address issues such as government control over temples, corruption in government-controlled temples, adulteration of prasad at Tirupati Balaji, and increasing encroachments on temple lands by the Waqf Board.
To deliberate on these issues, organise temples, and effectively convey temple-related concerns to the government, the ‘Fourth Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad’ will be held on 22 March at Swaraj Mangal Office (Koregaon Road), Satara . The Parishad is being organised under the joint auspices of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Mumbai’s Shri Jivdani Devi Sanstha, Shri Jyotirling Bhimashankar Devasthan, and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
More than 1000 temple trustees, representatives, priests, advocates working for temple protection, and subject experts from across Maharashtra will participate in the Parishad, stated Shri. Sanjay Joshi, State Coordinator of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, at a press conference.
Presence of dignitaries at the press conference
Revered Nilkanth Shivacharya Dhareshwar Maharaj, Advocate Janardan Karpe, Mandir Mahasangh’s Satara District Coordinator Shri. Shivajirao Tupe, Shri. Gajanan Bhosle of Bhuinj Mahalakshmi Temple, and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Coordinator Shri. Hemant Sonavne were present.
Shivajirao Tupe stated that more than 17,000 trustees, priests, religious institutions, and devotees are associated with the Mandir Mahasangh, and that a dress code has been implemented in more than 2400 temples across Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
He further stated that the Mandir Mahasangh has safeguarded hundreds of acres of temple land in Maharashtra from encroachers. The Karnataka Temple and Charitable Institutions Tax Amendment Bill 2024, which proposed levying charges on temples, was opposed, due to which it was not passed. Additionally, a movement was also carried out for the restoration of 4,170 temples that have been lost over time in Karnataka.
Participation of prominent individuals in the Parishad
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Shri. Hemant Sonavne informed that the Parishad will be attended by State Horticulture Minister Bharatseth Gogawale, Shri. Girish Shah of Jain Temple, temple-related author and researcher Shri. Sandeep Singh, Chief Trustee of Shri Kshetra Alandi Gyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Yogi Niranjananath Maharaj, temple trustees of Dehu-Alandi, trustees of 11 Maruti temples, National Coordinator of Mandir Mahasangh Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, trustees of Ashtavinayak temples, trustees of Maharashtra’s Jyotirling Devasthans, Sadguru Swati Khadye of Sanatan Sanstha, and representatives of various Peeths will be present.
Key topics for deliberation
The Parishad will include guidance and discussion sessions, with the following key topics:
- Temple security arrangements.
- Making temples effective centres for propagation of Sanatan Dharma.
- Measures to free temples from government control.
- Solutions to encroachments on temple land through Waqf law.
- Ban on the sale of liquor and meat around temples and pilgrimage sites.
- Renovation of neglected temples.
This Parishad is only for invited representatives. For participation, interested individuals may contact the Mandir Mahasangh at 7020383264
